2x10 or 1x15 cabinet?

[DigitalMan]

I really don't want to offend anybody, but the above statement is simply not true. It's a common audio myth, though.

He's got the Markbass part right though.

Depends. Everything is relative. Speakers and cabinets from the same manufacturer using the same model driver and many other things being equal, there are compares that conform to the "myth".

In fact, since people typically compare cabs from the same series these myths have arisen from observation as much as anything.

It is true that when you select a random 2x10 versus a random 1x15 that their relative character will also be random.

 

[iualum]

I need a LIGHTWEIGHT cabinet to go with my new Markbass Little Mark III head. I'm going to be jamming with a blues band in a small club, playing my Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass.

Help me decide between a 2x10 or 1x15 cabinet?

It all depends on which specific drivers are in the cab. If there's a cab that someone has played/listened to & they like what they've heard, then by all means, go that way.

Still, it's amazing to me that people still (continue) to talk about 10s & 15s (and all other speaker sizes for that matter) like all 10s perform & sound the same & all 15s perform & sound the same. They don't. Not by a long shot.

In general, if we're talking about similar 115s & 210s (basically apples to apples, from the same manufacturer & same line of cabs from that manufacturer), I'll always go with the 115 over the 210. In every instance. It will move more air. A 2x210 set-up has the very redeeming factor of being able to stack them on end making a "vertical" 410 & allowing the player to hear himself much better. Big plus. Then again, a 2x115 configuration (while not as tall as a "vert" 410) can be elevated a bit if needed. And again, the 2x15 wins out.

Specifically, though, I truly can see no advantage of a "mystery meat" box vs. one that employs known, very high quality components. I'm now talking about outfits like Audiokinesis, Baer, Barefaced, Bill Fitzmaurice, fEARful, fEARless, & another few I may have missed. If these are out of someone's budget, O.K., then they are. But these units, used, are normally pretty competitively priced. And they're heads & tails superior to mass-marketed cabs.

Lastly, someone can build (DIY) or have built a custom cab using the exact components he wants. Low Down Sound is a top contender for having one made. A tweeter-less, also non-midrange (& thus non-crossover) 115 using a full-range super 15 like the Eminence Kappa Lite 3015 (non-LF version) or Faital Pro 15PR400 can be built for a very reasonable buck. This box will far outperform any other 115 (& 210) & will sound tremendous while doing so. And it'll be small & very lightweight to boot.